gwilliams6

I have traveled the world with travel tripods in my carry-on and occasionally they open my carry-on and check all my camera gear , but TSA has NEVER taken any tripod or any other camera gear from my carry-on or checked luggage, EVER.

I get more open checks in foreign countries, but in the USA with my TSA Pre-check status they look at it in the x-ray and rarely follow up with any additional hand inspections. Any hand inspections of my carry-ons at security check-in are done in front of me. If you dont already have TSA Pre-check, I highly recommend you get it, you are treated differently.

I do get occasional notices left inside my checked luggage that TSA has done an inspection, usually only when I have both large tripods and multiple light stands packed in my checked luggage. Everything is left neatly in place and nothing has ever been taken by TSA or any foreign airport agents ever, and I travel with my gear all the time.

Not a worry folks. TSA and foreign airport agents can only legally confiscate weapons, drugs or other illegal contraband, NOT your camera gear. Not even when I have gone to Russia multiple times. Not sure about China right now. Not going to Russia ever again or China anytime soon. I have a Ukrainian wife and son.

Cheers

https://www.facebook.com/GSWilliamsPhotography

photoman43

Yes, pack the tripod in a regular suitcase, not a dedicated tripod bag. It is far safer in a larger suitcase. Put the head in the suitcase too. I used to carry my tripod head (a ball head) in carryon luggage until TSA warned me that it was a "weapon" and was not allowed in carryon luggage. They told me they could confiscate it along with my hex wrench and other photo tools too. The TSA agent suggested that I add a sheet of paper to my checked luggage stating exactly what was in it that may cause them concern--tripod, ball head, tools, etc. This would help them when they opened the bag to inspect it for objects they had concerns about if the bag got scanned.

I know that others may disagree on this as not all TSA agents may have the same thoughts on this matter.

gwilliams6

Good point. I do include a sheet of paper in my checked and carryon luggage saying it contains camera gear. Never had a small travel tripod in my carry-on accused of being a weapon and I travel all across the USA and the world with my gear.

And from my longtime experience you will have far less open inspections of your carry-on if you travel with TSA-Pre Check.

If in doubt put your tripod in checked luggage and relax. Just be sure all luggage is secured with TSA-approved locks, so that TSA can open it safely without damage. Those TSA locks are easily found at Wal-Mart, Target , Home Depot, Lowes or most hardware and drug stores, and are inexpensive.

Cheers

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

rwww80a Loc: Hampton, NH

If I were you:
Call your airline and ask about the tripod, refer to size and if it can go as carry on. Airline "enforcement" varies with their carry on rules.
THEN
Call your TSA office at the airport you will be traveling from. Ask the same questions. Ask for a gate supervisor and get their name and badge number.
Finally,
Ship UPS or FedEx to your arrival hotel as a guest. Ship it home too.
I have a tripod that fits in my suitcase if the head is removed. Never been an issue.

gwilliams6

You are making it far too complicated . No need to do all that. Just follow the suggestions here and don't solicit a NO answer in advance if you don't have too. TSA agents are used to seeing camera gear everyday. No need to ship it in advance and incur additional charges unless your tripod and/or light stands/modifiers are too big to fit in normal luggage.

Really. I have travelled with a complete portable studio all in checked luggage. And it got far less handling and was closer to my person and out of my sight for a shorter time, than if I had shipped it by FedEx or UPS across the country. And don't even think of shipping it by courier service out of the country. If you do that, just say goodbye to it. I know a few sad cases of that happening to other photographers.

Cheers

fetzler Loc: North West PA

You should be able to place a tripod in checked luggage provided you have a proper case.

I have a MeFoto Roadtrip tripod for my micro 4/3 equipment. Collapsed it is very small and the case fits nicely in regular luggage. The tripod should be adequate for all but large cameras with very large lenses.

Consider shipping you tripod to your hotel in advance via Fed EX or UPS.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

Gwilliams makes a point don't ask for permission just beg for forgiveness.

gwilliams6

I ship tripods in my checked luggage just surrounded by clothes and with a sheet of paper on top of the clothes telling TSA there is camera gear enclosed. No requirement to have the tripod in a case, unless you want to have that case to use later during your shoot.

Of course i can't speak for 100% of TSA agents or 100% of USA and foreign airports, but the worst that has ever happened to me anywhere in the world is a hand inspection of my bags. Just be polite if they do this, and all will be fine. TSA and foreign airport agents don't want any more drama than they have to have. And they appreciate polite and cooperative fliers. They have hundreds or even thousands of passengers to deal with every day.

Cheers

gwilliams6

exactly. They are used to tripods and such camera gear and are trained to know the difference of what is a weapon
is what is not.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

My Manfrotto tripod collapses into a length that will fit in my checked bag. I think it's about 2 feet long when collapsed,

Stan

druthven

Houston to Jackson Wyoming, no problem carrying on my camera backpack with the tripod strapped to it's side.

James May

I did a trip to South Africa. I went to harbor freight and they have a hard case just like the pelican cases for a third of the price with wheels. I paid $80.00 for the case and now they are up to $90.00. They have the foam inside you can adjust to your gear. I belong to Kelby One and Larry Becker had a great idea to pack your gear in a case. I took out the foam insert and just left the top and bottom foam. He said to buy a yoga mat and cut stripes the height of the inside of your case which worked out to around 3.5 inch thick strips. you get a lot in one mat. I get much more equipment in the case of doing it this way and all the gear is fine and the size is good for a carry-on. Sometimes the weight is a little more than they like to see but I tell them there is $10,000 of photography equipment in there and it has to be carried on. I had no trouble from Vegas, New York, to South Africa and return. My tripod I took off the ball head and put in the case. My tripod went in my checked suitcase. buy a large suitcase. you charged for a checked bag, not by the size of it so go big. The roll bag is a must in airports because the gate is usually far away. And if you have a walking problem like I do I ask for a wheelchair. they take you to the gate and best of all your board first and get your stuff up in the overhead bin. I travel all the time that way. Enjoy your trip and check out Harbour freight hard roll cases. Great deal.

stogieboy Loc: Marlboro, NY

In 2017, I flew to Nashville for the solar eclipse and I took a Manfrotto 290 with ball head AND a Surui tripod as one of my carry-on items. I put them both in the same tripod case (Manfrotto MBAG80N) with a hand towel rolled up between them, and use a couple of Titan straps to secure them to each other, and the whole contraption fit behind everyone's carry-on luggage in the overhead space without any issue.

I guess its possible that a TSA agent would be a jerk, but if thats the case, just check it at that point. I'd rather be in possession of my equipment than to trust it to baggage handlers. If I had a smaller tripod, I might put it in my suitcase, but I don't have a travel tripod yet (looking at you, Peak Design!).

worldcycle Loc: Stateline, Nevada

Always in my check in luggage. I have zero issues with TSA. Fly constantly and never a problem. By the time I have my camera body, lenses (usually at least 3 to cover every conceivable focal length), batteries etc..... along with my noise cancelling headphones, change of clothes (just in case), book, lap top, yada yada in my carry on, why mess with a tripod as well. Besides with good bracing and a high ISO you can shoot practically anything hand held. A lot of people try to cheap out with not paying for check in these days. The convenience is worth it. Also if you really want to cheap out, bring it in a huge bag and when they offer to check for free at the gate......